Jean de Joinville (
1224-
1319) was one of the great 
chroniclers of medieval 
France.  He served King 
Louis IX of France, whom he followed on 
crusade in 
1248, abandoning his family.  Any enthusiasm he felt for the mission was soon knocked out of him, and he felt no inclination to join future crusades.  However, he did act as a witness to those responsible for the canonisation of the late king, in 
1282.  At the request of 
Jeanne of Navarre[?], the queen, he began work on the 
Histoire de Saint Louis, which he completed in 
1309.
 
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